Volusia News Now

Resurfacing of four-lane road to be completed in August

Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / The blinking light at State Roadd 44 and Sugar Mill Drive will soon be replaced with a regular traffic light. The signal light qill cost $61,000, along with a $5 million resurfacing of the four-lane road, all paid for by the Florida Department of Transportation,

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The intersection of State Road 44 and Sugar Mill Drive soon will be safer for motorists with a new traffic signal to be installed in Auguest, a city official said.

“The new traffic signal is a result of a State traffic impact analysis to improve safety at the intersection – particularly the southbound left turn lane for Sugar Mill Drive motorists,” said Kyle Fegley, a city engineer.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Guitarist Gladius brings his unique guitar playing talents to the New Smyrna Beach Regional Public Library. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Atlanta guitarist and composer Gladius will give a free performance at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, in the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library auditorium, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway.

Trooper: 16-year-old didn't know 2-year-old was behind the vehicle

APOPKA -- A toddler was struck and killed Wednesday afternoon by a 16-year-old relative who didn't know she was behind the SUV he backed up in the family driveway in the 300 block of Avalone Drive, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

While backing the 2000 Ford, the boy struck the 2-year-old with the left rear tire, running her over in the process, a trooper reported. the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The victim, Amararis Martinez, was rushed by paramedics to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando where she succumbed to critical head injuries less than an hour after the 3:20 p.m. accident, FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said.

Photos for Headline Surfer  / Engine 53 is housed in Station 53 on Industrial Park Road in New Smyrna Beach. The city's largest fire truck was purchased in 2010 at a cost of nearly half a million bucks.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Christmas came a few weeks earlier for the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department in 2010 with the arrival of a 2010 Pierce Arrow XT, but the price was pretty steep: $402,500, complete with plaque of city officials affixed to it.

The wallet-lighting purchase comes in at No. 492 in Headline Surfer's fifth anniversary countdown of the top 500 stories.

Headliner Surfer locator map / The Lil' Champ Store, 2460 Ocean Shore Blvd., in Ormond Beach, was the scene of a robbery attempt thwarted by the store clerk who met potentially deadly force with with that of his own four years ago.

ORMOND BEACH -- A would-be robber armed with a knife picked on the wrong store clerk who pulled out a knife of his own and called the criminal's bluff.

The event occurred at 5:54 a.m. back on Jan. 19, 2009, at the Lil' Champ Food Store, 2460 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach. It comes in at No. 493 in Headline Surfer's fifth anniversary countdown of the top 500 stories.

Here is a synopsis of what happened as reported by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office:  The suspect came into the store brandishing a knife and demanding money. But he was startled when the clerk lunged at him with a knife of his own and the suspect fled empty handed.

OAK HILL -- One and all are welcomed to purchase a 'Pick up chicken dinner' with all of the fixings at the VIA Hall, 126 East Halifax Ave. The $8 fee benefits the Oak Hill Trust.

Part of Al Sharpton-organized national vigil in 100 cities

Photo for Headline Surfer / Greater Friendship Baptist Church Senior Pastor L. Ronald Durham is leading a local rally in the wake iof the George Zimmerman not-guilty verdict on Saturday in front of the 5th District Court of Appeal.

DAYTONA BEACH -- A local black pastor said he and other clergymen are following the Rev. Al Sharpton's request for a "Justice for Trayvon National Day of Action Vigils in 100 Cities" this Saturday in front of federal court buildings. The rally is to begin at noon.Because there are no federal court buildings in Daytona Beach, the Rev. L. Ronald Durham said he and other locals will meet in front of the 5th District Court of Appeal, 300 S. Beach St.

The vigils, taking place in 100 cities, will be a call to action pushing for federal charges for Violation of Trayvon's Civil Rights, against George Zimmerman leading up to an Aug. 24 March on Washington, Durham said. "We are calling for pastors across the nation to organize a "Justice for Trayvon" National Day of Action Vigil in your city if you have a federal court or building," Durham said.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Morgan Tuck, 15, a New Smyrna Beach High School student, was the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on a public street early Sunday in Edgewater.

EDGEWATER -- The body of a 15-year-old girl was found in the grass near 22nd Street early Sunday, the victim of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police responded to the scene at 8:49 a.m. near the intersection with Guava Drive, describing it as a "suicide attempt" with a gunshot wound with the victim pronounced dead upon their arrival.

Police did not release any other details including the victim's name in what Headline Surfer believes to be in violation of Florida's public records statutes since the victim's family was notified. The victim is 15-year-old Morgan Tuck, who attended New Smyrna Beach High School.